The Murder of Pompilia

The llurder of Poiapilia

4219
M37

STUDY

GOTHIC ARClNTECT

view. The one strongly emerging truth, spite of Mr. Prior's
claims for EnglandX spite /of Leader Scott's mr Como, is the
centrality and catholioitY/of the Church's pow/r in this matter.
If we blindly swallow^ the Comacine theory, or rf we accept
Mr. Prior's concluskms\pr indeed if we/attempt a Nharmony,
the one fact that rfeems undeniably cepuiin is that, had it not
been for the Church's European sway, the comparative l^omo-
geneity of theygrowth of Gotnic architecture would have
impossible. /Search as we may^fiejr differences, the similariti
are even more striking ; and we nave still to face the extra-x
ordinary yiact that in countries of \ariant race and variant
language there grew almost simultaneously and with strangely
simila/ development a common art witrr\a common motive.
There were two force/ in the world that cmild override the
boundaries of tribe^and tongue, and these forces, call them
what you will — mpal supremacy, monastic rule^sart brother-
hood, or mason craft — were ultimately no others then Chris-
tianity and her handmaid Architecture.

PAUL WATERHOUSE.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA

For the discovery, last January, of the Italian manuscript, of which the
following is a translation, I am indebted to Signor Dottore Ignazio Giorgi,
Librarian of the Royal Casanatense Library in Rome. The volume from which
it is taken [Misc. MS. 2037] is entitled " Varii successi curiosi e degni di esser
coiisiderati," and also contains an account of the trial of Beatrice Cenci, and of
the recantation, in 1686, of Miguel de Molinos, whose followers are so often
mentioned in the " Ring and the Book."

The baptismal dates of the Franceschini and of Caponsacchi are taken from
the Archives of Arezzo, which have yielded many other interesting details.
Several of the footnotes are based upon the evidence adduced in the trial of
Guido Franceschini in January-February 1698, as contained in the actual
source of Browning's poem, his " square old yellow book." This is a volume
of some 250 pages of Latin and Italian, consisting of eighteen printed pamphlets
or legal documents — lawyers' pleas, evidence, &c. — connected with the trial.
Browning's unique copy, a translation of which is in progress, is now in the
library of Balliol College, Oxford. It has never been republished. The manu-
script here printed for the first time has much in common with the information
in that book, but supplements it in various ways, and is the best prose account
of the whole case which is known to exist. — W. HALL GRIFFIN.

THE TRIAL AND DEATH OF FRANCESCHINI AND HIS COM-
PANIONS FOR MURDER AND ASSASSINATION COMMITTED
ON THE PERSONS OF PIETRO COMPARINI, HIS WIFE AND
DAUGHTER, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE TIME OF INNO-
CENT XII.

ABATE PAOLO FRANCESCHINI, born in Arezzo,
Tuscany, was of noble family, although he had inherited
but a small patrimony ; yet, being possessed of sufficient talent
to push his fortunes, he moved to the city of Rome, where he

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 115

was admitted by Cardinal Lauria1 to his household as Secretary
of the Embassy. A natural fitness of mind gained him the
favour of this Cardinal, who stood so high in the esteem of the
Sacred College for his learning that it seemed by no means
improbable that he might be raised to the Pontificate.

Under these favourable auspices, Paolo, who was desirous
of making the most of his opportunities, thought of arranging a
marriage for his brother Guido, so that he might, by means of a
substantial dowry, re-establish the family fortunes. Guido had
also found employment in Rome as Secretary of the Embassy
to a Cardinal — Cardinal Nerli 2— but, either because he had not
the opportunities or the skill of his brother, he had quitted this
service. Now, although Paolo knew that the fact of his brother
being out of employment would damage his chances of forming
a good aUiance, yet he did not cease to try and make an
advantageous match, for he hoped that the reflection of his own
importance might atone for the shortcomings of his brother.

Guido was now getting towards middle life, of delicate
constitution, mediocre appearance, a disposition gloomy rather
than pleasing — above all, with very little means, so that his
matrimonial expectations would be but slight unless he could
profit by his brother's position.

After having sought a number of alliances with people of
good position, Paolo finally decided upon Francesca Pompilia,
daughter of Pietro and Violante Comparini, because, as she
was an only child, and, on account of the age of her parents

1 Cardinal Lorenzo Brancati di Lauria, born 1612, made Cardinal 1681,
died November 30, 1693. He would be an excellent patron, being widely
known for his learning, modesty, and liberality. I find Paolo, then aged
thirty-three, dedicating a poem to him in 1683 — doubtless the first step toward
securing the Cardinal's favour. Cardinal Lauria secured fifteen votes at the
Conclave which in 1689 elected Alexander VIII., the predecessor of the "Pope"
of Browning's poem.

2 Guido seems indeed to have missed his opportunity. Nerli was literary,
very wealthy, and, like the Franceschini, a Tuscan — from Florence. Born 1636,
made Cardinal 1673, he died, aged seventy-two, in 1708. Browning was not
aware of the names of either Lauria or Nerli.

116 THE MONTHLY REVIEW

there was no possibility of other offspring, she would succeed
to 12,000 scudi held in trust; and Paolo hoped to make the
match without difficulty, as the Comparini were rather beneath
him than his equals by birth.

There was a female hairdresser1 who used to visit the
Comparini with that freedom with which such women are
admitted by those who desire to appear to their husbands
more beautiful than they are, and are tolerated by those men
who hold too high an opinion of the fidelity of their wives.
Paolo considered this woman the most likely means of forward-
ing his matrimonial schemes. Guido, therefore, repeatedly went
to the woman's shop [in the Piazza Colonna] on various pretexts,
and, having won his way into her confidence, he occasionally
turned the conversation upon the subject of his marrying, where-
upon she told him, one day, that he might easily approach the
daughter of the Comparini, who had a dowry worthy of him, as
she had the expectation of inheriting the trust-money, and also
had few kinsfolk, these being the conditions of which he was in
search. It was agreed, therefore, that, if she should succeed
hi bringing about the match, he would pay her 200 scudi.

The hairdresser lost no time in opening the subject to
Violante, who, being anxious that her daughter should succeed
to the property, and also that she should be advantageously
settled, agreed to speak to her husband, whose consent she felt
disposed to obtain, should the facts be as they were represented.
Violante spoke of the matter to Pietro, and he consented to
entertain the proposal on condition of the verification of the
wealth boasted of by the Franceschini, who, said he, must
furnish a written statement attested by well-known people.

The hairdresser informed the Franceschini of this, and they
sent for an account of their real estate in Arezzo, amounting to
an annual income of 1700 scudi, this statement being certified

1 This " woman-dealer in perukes " figures in the poem of " Tertium
Quid" (430-51), where the bribe promised her is put at the modest sum of
20 zecchines, i.e. .£10, as against the 200 scudi — nearly .£200 of modern money
— mentioned here.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 117

by people known to the Comparing and also confirmed by them
by word of mouth.

Abate Paolo, fearing lest the fortune should slip through
his fingers, did not wish to allow the Comparini time to change
their minds ; on the contrary, in order to make sure of things,
he desired to strengthen his position by the influence of
Cardinal Lauria, his patron, by whom he had a marriage
contract drawn up, his Eminence being pleased to show his
interest in the welfare of a man whom he regarded with a
certain degree of favour.

Meanwhile Pietro Comparini, having made inquiries as to
the social condition and the property of the Franceschini,
found a state of affairs very different from that represented,
both in regard to their rank and their possessions. Thereupon
he had warm disputes with his wife, who persisted in urging the
marriage, and said that he had taken the advice of people who
were envious of the welfare of both families, and wished to
hinder the good fortune of the two households ; and that there-
fore they ought not to depart from their first intention, for
she was quite sure, from several truthful witnesses, that the
Franceschini were of the first nobility in Arezzo, and not of the
second, as was stated, and that the wealth mentioned in the
written statement was exactly as declared. But the warmer
her interest became, the more that of Pietro cooled down ; for,
having an eye to his own interest, if he could not gain, at least
he did not wish to lose by the marriage of his daughter. But
what does not a man lose when he allows himself to be ruled
by women ! He loved his wife so tenderly, that from the first
day of his union with her he had made her the arbitress of his
will : notwithstanding this, however, Violante, fearing that, in
a matter of such importance, Pietro might rather be guided by
good advice than yield to her flattery, and not being able to
endure any delay in making sure of the trust-money — which
would go to another family if the Comparini lacked de-
scendants— she resolved to complete the marriage without the
knowledge of Pietro. So, having obtained the consent of her

118 THE MONTHLY REVIEW

daughter, who was always amenable to her commands, and
having arranged matters with Guido, one morning she took
Pompilia, suitably dressed, to San Lorenzo in Lucina, their
parish church, and gave her in marriage.1

This was a heavy blow to Pietro, but, realising that there
was no remedy for it, he concealed his wrath by pretending
that he had only been displeased at not having been at the
marriage, and that this was forgotten in the pleasure of the
wedding feast which was held at his house (in the Via Vittoria).
For dowry, he made over to his daughter twenty-six bonds,
with the ultimate succession to them all : and that very day, as
they were talking of the advantages which would result to both
households from the union of their interests, it was arranged
that the Comparini should go to Arezzo ; and this took place
a few days later,2 the administration of all the property being
left absolutely in the hands of Guido. On their arrival in
Arezzo the Comparini were received by the mother and the
relations of the Franceschini with all those marks of affection
which are usual on such occasions ; but very speedily, as they
saw more of one another, they passed into quarrels, and from
these to acts of open hostility. The mother of Guido,3 a proud,
niggardly woman, who kept house in a penurious style, and
despotically limited even the bare necessities of life, provoked
the Comparini to complain, and their remonstrances were
answered at first by words of contempt and then by threats.
Violante, being a woman with her own share of natural pride,
could not endure this, and therefore began to worry Pietro,
and curse the day on which he had decided to go to Arezzo,
laying upon him the whole blame for that for which she herself

1 The real date of the marriage is August or September 1693. Browning,
for artistic reasons, places it in December — "one dim end of a December
day " — on account of the gloom associated with it.

2 This would be in November 1693, early in the month.

3 Guido's mother was Beatrice Romani, a woman of sixty-two in 1693, as
she was born in 1631. She died, aged seventy, in 1701, three years after her
son's execution.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 119

was responsible ! Pietro, who was one of those men who are
beside themselves if a woman sheds a couple of tears, instead
of reproaching her as the cause of the trouble, in that she had,
against his will and without his knowledge, concluded the
marriage, begged her with caresses to bear this ill-usage with
patience, as it would perhaps cease when the Franceschini saw
that their daughter sided with them.

At this time Cardinal Lauria died [November 30, 1693], a
Cardinal whose merits were beyond all praise, and Abate Paolo
was appointed Secretary in Rome of the Order of the Knights
of St. John of Malta,1 and this increased the proud bearing of
the Franceschini to such a degree that they now considered
that the Comparini should deem themselves fortunate to be
among their friends, much more their relations.

Violante, who could not endure to live any longer under
the proud sway of another woman, when she had been accus-
tomed to command, had now quite regained the upper hand
with her husband, and so worried him that she induced him to
go back to Rome once more, and to this end the Franceschini
supplied them with money sufficient for the journey, and for
the furniture necessary for the house.2

But scarcely were they arrived in Rome than, to the amaze-
ment of everybody, it was reported that Pietro had issued a
judicial monition, in which he declared that Francesca Pompilia
was not really his daughter, and that therefore he was not
bound to pay the dowry. This document was certified by
Violante, his wife, who deposed that, in order to keep off her
husband's creditors in regard to the deed of trust, and to enjoy
the interest of the bonds, she had feigned to be with child, and
that her deception should not be perceived by her husband,

1 This was a good appointment. The headquarters of the Knights in
Rome was in the still existing building in the Via Condotti, close to the Piazza
di Spagiia. The home of the Comparini was close by.

2 The Comparini returned in March 1694 to their former home in the
Via Vittoria. Browning represents them as going to another house in the Via
Paolina, erroneously associated with the road at the south of Rome leading to
the church of S. Paolo fuori le mum.

120 THE MONTHLY REVIEW

she had agreed with him that if ever this should happen they
should have rooms apart until the birth of the child. She took
the opportunity of the absence of Pietro, when busy over his
lawsuits one day, to bring about the appearance of the child.
All passed off successfully owing to the sagacity of a nurse
with whom she had arranged to provide all that was needful.
Accordingly, in order that the man-servant should have no
suspicion as to the fraud, they sent him off to the chemist's to
have some prescriptions made up, and, during his absence, away
went the nurse to fetch a child which she had brought into the
world the day before for a neighbour, with whom she had made
previous arrangements to this effect. Having got back to the
house, she called through the open window to an acquaint-
ance of the Comparini, everything being so neatly arranged
that when the neighbour arrived there remained nothing to be
done but to make her believe what was not really the fact.1

This unexpected act of Pietro's was noised abroad in Rome
like wildfire, and was listened to with no less amazement than
displeasure, and the Franceschini, who were justly indignant,
would have taken fitting vengeance had not their anger been
tempered by the hope that, if Pompilia were not really and
legitimately the child of Pietro and Violante, the marriage
might be annulled, and their injured reputation thus reinstated.
But, having taken the advice of a number of lawyers, and
finding that their opinions differed, they did not wish to stake
their chances upon an issue so doubtful ; for, if they instituted
legal proceedings, they must inevitably acknowledge and pre-
suppose the illegitimacy, and by such a confession they would
themselves remain prejudiced in their claims upon the dowry.
They therefore opposed the judicial notice of Violante and

1 These events took place on July 17, 1680, as the baptismal entry in
S. Lorenzo in Lucina proves. It runs as follows: "Die 23 Julii 1680 Ego
Bartholomaeus Minius Curatus baptizavi infantem natam 17 hujus ex D. Petro
Comparini et ex D. Violante Peruzzi conjugibus degentibus in hac Parocchia,
cui nomen impositum fuit Francisca Camilla Vittoria Angela Pompilia." (C/.
the opening lines of the poem " Pompilia.")

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 121

obtained a decision to the effect that Pompilia was so far to be
regarded as the Comparini's daughter that the bonds promised
in the marriage settlement were to be transferred to her. But
Pietro appealed from this decision to the Signatura di Giustizia
[the Court of Appeal].

The chief sufferer from this hatred between the two
families was the unfortunate Pompilia, who remained by herself
at Arezzo, exposed to the arbitrary treatment of her husband,
her mother-in-law, and the Franceschini kindred, all of whom
were mortally offended with her parents, so that not an hour
passed without her being threatened with death. In a situation
so desperate the heart of any woman, even of one more
experienced, would have sunk within her, much more that of
a girl of sixteen who had no share in the deceit of her
mother nor in the wiles of her father, and who, by reason
of her good qualities, was worthy of caresses and not of
cruelty.

The unfortunate girl bore up as long as she could under
their tyrannies, which daily became worse and worse, but,
seeing that all prospect of peace was hopeless, she fled several
times to the Governor of Arezzo l to seek the interposition of
his authority with the Franceschini ; and, as he gave her no
help, she cast herself at the feet of the Bishop,2 who summoned
Guido to his presence and reconciled them. But, as Guido's
anger was increased by reason of such public appeals, he
threatened her with certain death if ever she should do such a
thing again.

The wretched girl, seeing every avenue of peace closed,

1 This, as the poem mentions, was Vincenzo Marzi-Medici, governor from
1693-95. Pompilia went to him in 1694, and he wrote a letter to Abate
Paolo in Rome, giving him an account of the Comparini and their doings in
Arezzo, dated August 2, 1694. Marzi-Medici was not, however, as the poem
says, a relative of the Grand Duke ; he was the son of a Florentine lawyer.

2 This Bishop — Archbishop the poem calls him — was Giovanni Matteo
Marchetti, Bishop for thirteen years, from 1691-1704. He was of a well-
known Pistoian family, and had a splendid collection of drawings by old
masters, which came to England after his death.

122 THE MONTHLY REVIEW

implored the help of Canon Conti,1 brother-in-law of the
Franceschini, who was perfectly familiar with what she had had
to suffer, as he used to visit the house ; and she begged him to
save her life, which was in continual peril. He was moved to
pity, and, knowing that there was no remedy but flight — in
which, however, he could personally take no part, lest he should
bring upon himself the hatred of the whole family connection
—he suggested that the only person for such an enterprise was
Canon Caponsacchi,2 his personal friend, and in a remote degree
related to him — a man whose spirit was no less apt to incur
danger than to overcome it.

Pompilia having accepted the advice of Conti, he lost no
time in opening the subject to Caponsacchi, who, when the
matter was first broached, manifested repugnance towards
aiding a wife to flee from her husband, even though the only
object in view was to accompany her to the home of her
parents. But, on being fully informed as to the unbearable
ill-treatment of Guido and his family, pity overcame every
other feeling, and he accepted the undertaking. Pompilia, who
now longed for this result, kept urging it upon him by means
of letters3 and endearing incitements, always, however, pre-
serving her fidelity as a wife, as may be gathered from her
letters, in some of which she praises the modesty of Capon-
sacchi, and in others reproves him for having sent her some
rather unbecoming verses, and begs him to preserve unsullied
that good character which she has praised.

The day of the flight having been arranged,4 these two, with
the assistance of Conti, got into a carriage, and, travelling as
fast as possible — never stopping except when needful to change

1 Guide's only sister Porzia married Count Aldobrandini, Conti's brother.

2 Caponsacchi was aged twenty-four at this time (1697), having been
baptized March 22, 1673.

3 Twenty-two such letters, or fragments of them, were said to have been
found by Guido, and were produced in the evidence at his trial. They are of
slight interest.

1 They fled on Sunday, April 28, "seven hours after sunset" — i.e. about
2 A.M. Browning artistically alters this to April 23— St. George's Day.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 123

horses — they arrived, the second morning at dawn, at Castel-
nuovo. Here, although the landlord got ready one bed for
both, Pompilia rested in a chair and Caponsacchi rushed down
to the stable to hurry up the driver.

Guido waked up some hours after Pompilia had departed,
and, finding that she was not in bed, got up in a passion ; and
seeing her jewel-case open and the jewels gone, together with
some money which was kept there, he divined what had taken
place. So he tore along the road to Rome on a good horse,
and overtook the fugitives at the inn at Castelnuovo1 one hour
after they had arrived.

When she saw him appear, Pompilia, with a boldness such
as despair frequently produces even in a sluggish nature, seized
the sword of Caponsacchi, which was lying on a table, and,
having drawn it, rushed out to meet Guido ; and calling him a
traitor and a tyrant, threatened his life ; but he, fearing that her
boldness no less than the valour of Caponsacchi — whom he had
not previously known to be her protector — might result rather
in his own death than in his taking vengeance, turned his
horse's head, and, rushing off to the magistrate, had them
arrested and soon afterwards taken off to the New Prisons [in
Rome, sixteen miles distant], where they were accused of the
flight and then of adultery.

Abate Paolo, who, as has been said, was Secretary in Rome
for the Knights of Malta, made urgent representations to the
Pope concerning the injury to his honour, and besought the
Governor of Rome, Monsignor Pallavicino,2 protesting that he
ought to give judgment against Caponsacchi for having eloped
with his sister-in-law, and declare them both guilty of adultery,
and that on this account his brother Guido ought to obtain
possession of the whole dowry.

Legal proceedings were instituted with all the rigour of the

1 The inn still exists unchanged, with the very room in which the scene
here described took place.

2 Marc Antonio Venturing mentioned as Governor in the poem, was in fact
a Deputy-Governor for criminal cases — Locum tenens in criminalibus.

124 THE MONTHLY REVIEW

law, but there appeared no evidence of guilt against Pompilia
and Caponsacchi except the letters indicating an affectionate
intercourse, and written while the flight was being planned, the
flight itself, and the deposition of the driver,1 who said that he
had several times seen them, as he turned round while driving,
face to face together — i.e. cheek against cheek — a thing which
is no proof of wrongdoing, while the roughness of the roads, and
the speed at which they were driving, by shaking them, might
have been the cause. Wherefore the Court prudently sen-
tenced Caponsacchi to three years' relegation in Civita Vecchia
for his rash act in running away with a wife from the home of
her husband, even though he had been actuated by motives
of pity.2

Meanwhile the proceedings against Pompilia continued,
and with the consent of the Franceschini she was sent under
restraint to the monastery of the Scalette in the Lungara,3
Guido giving a bond that he would pay for her board. After
some time it became evident that she was enceinte, and as the
rules of the place did not allow of her remaining any longer
there, the Governor of Rome, with the approval of Abate
Paolo, who held a power of attorney for his brother, issued an
order that Pompilia should be removed to the house of the
Comparini, her parents, under security of 300 scudi, declaring
at the same time that the obligation on Guido's part to pay
for her board should cease the very day on which Pompilia
should leave the monastery.4

This suit, in which the Franceschini represented themselves
as being solely actuated by a desire to repair their honour, was
recognised as having for its chief motive their greed for money,

1 This was Francesco Borsi, called " Venerino," a servant of the landlord
of the still existing Canale Inn at Arezzo. He drove them to Camoscia, that
is, for the first night only.

2 This decree is dated September 24, 1697.

8 The Scalette — so called from the steps in front of it — still exists, under
the name of the " Buon Pastore." Browning chose to speak of the Convertite,
who also had a home in the Lungara.

4 This order is dated October 12, 1697.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 125

so that there was not a single club in which the conduct of
both sides was not criticised. For this reason the Knights of
St. John quietly hinted to Abate Paolo that he had better
resign his position as Secretary. The loss of so honourable a
position gave free course to the malice of the tongues of his
enemies, and reduced the mind of Paolo to such a state of
anxiety that he felt ashamed to face even his dearest friends.
He therefore decided to quit Rome and to pass to a land
whither there should never come news of the dishonour which
had so deeply afflicted him.1

Guido being informed of his departure and of the obligation
now resting upon himself of repairing the honour of their
house, reflected that if he, like his brother, should voluntarily
exile himself, it would be regarded as a confirmation of that
cowardliness of spirit with which he had been justly charged
when he had overtaken his wife in her flight and had not then
and there taken that vengeance which was expected at his
hands.

Her time having arrived, Pompilia gave birth to a male
child,2 whom the Comparini sent out to nurse. Everybody
thought, and in particular Violante, that this event would
dispose Guido, by the very force of nature, to a reconciliation
with his wife, while the minds of the Comparini, in spite of
their declaration that Pompilia was not their child, might also
be inclined to re-establish peace. The thought of Guido,
however, was wholly different, for he was ceaselessly urged on
by Paolo, who, even though absent, kept plotting to blot out
of the world every memory of his own dishonour by the death
of Pompilia, Pietro, and Violante.

Guido had a field labourer, a bold man of evil life, to whom
he repeatedly told exaggerated tales about the disgrace which
his wife and the Comparini had brought upon his house ; and
he confided to this man that, if he would aid him, he would be
able to wipe out with their blood the stains upon his honour.

1 I have traced him to Prague, where he published a poem in 1699-

2 A boy, Gaetano, born December 18, 1697.

126

THE MONTHLY REVIEW

The assassin at once agreed, and himself suggested that, if other
help were needed, he had three or four friends for whom he
could vouch. Guido's answer was that he should select three
bold and trusty ones for the sake of security, in case of meeting
with resistance, and that he should be particularly careful to
engage them at as low a rate as he possibly could.

This being all arranged, and the weapons suitable for such
a deed made ready, Guido with his four companions, disguised,
and with changed garments, took the road to Rome, and
arrived l at the house of the Comparini 2 two hours after sunset.
One of them knocked at the door, and when Pietro answered,
the assassin said that he had a letter to deliver from Civita
Vecchia from Caponsacchi. When the women heard this,
they told Pietro that he must tell the man to come back in
the morning, and objected to his opening the door ; but Pietro
being curious about the news from Caponsacchi, and the
assassin making reply that he could not call again next
morning, as he had to depart that very night, Pietro opened
the fatal door through which entered death for himself, for
Violante, arid for Pompilia.

Beside himself with passion, Guido was the first to rush in
with two companions3 — the other two remaining to keep
guard — and, having repeatedly stabbed the poor old man, they
deprived him of life before he could utter a word. Scarcely
had the unfortunate women beheld this than they were thrust
through in a similar manner and experienced the same fate ;
the blows of Guido being directed against the unhappy
Pompilia, and being accompanied with innumerable insults.
After having trampled her under foot several times and

1 They arrived at Rome December 24, 1697. The murders took place on
Thursday, January 2, 1698.

2 Browning places this outside Rome beyond the Porta S. Paolo; the
murders actually took place in a house — since rebuilt — which stood at the
corner of the Via Vittoria and the Via Babuino, formerly called Via Paolina.

3 These two were Francesco Pasquino and Alessandro Giovanni Baldeschi.
Those who kept guard were Biaggio Agostinelli and Domenico Gambassini.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 127

repeated his blows, Guido, not sure that his fury had accom-
plished its purpose, told his companions to see if she were
really dead, and one of them lifting her up by the hair and
then letting her suddenly fall, made sure that she was no
longer alive.

The barbarous slaughter over, and Guido having paid the
cut-throats the money agreed upon,1 he wished to separate
from them, but they would not allow either him or any of the
others to depart, fearing lest one should kill the other, as not
infrequently happens in such crimes. Or, perchance, the cut-
throats had arranged with their leader, if they kept together,
to kill Guido, supposing that he would have upon him a large
sum of money, and therefore, it is said, they would not
consent to his going away. Accordingly they took the road
to Arezzo together, being obliged to travel on foot on account
of not having been able to procure post-horses.

Life was totally extinct in Pietro and Violante by reason
of their numerous wounds, but Pompilia was still living,
although her wounds were even more numerous,2 for in her
innocence, and aided by Divine mercy, she had been able to
feign death so well that she deceived the assassins. When,
therefore, she could see that they were gone, collecting her
dying breath, she had still sufficient strength of voice to make
the neighbours hear her cries for help.

Being found in a dying state, the needs of the soul were first
eagerly attended to, and afterwards those of her body. Her
wounds were so many in number, and of such a character, that,
although they did not immediately deprive her of life, yet they
rendered her death inevitable ; an event which, to the universal
sorrow of those who attended her, and of as many as had infor-
mation about so lamentable a case, took place a few days later.3

1 This account differs on this point from that used by Browning, who says
the assassins were not paid, and therefore were about to kill Guido.

2 Twenty-two dagger wounds, five deadly.

3 Pompilia died on Monday, January 6, 16.98, the day on which she is
supposed to speak in the poem.

I. 2.— Nov. 1900 1

128

THE MONTHLY REVIEW

The constancy with which she endured the sufferings of her
medical treatment was no less amazing than the love excited by
her resignation to the Divine will ; while not only did she not
blame the cruelty of her husband, but with fervent prayers she
implored God to pardon him.

As evidence of the compassion of those who ministered to
her soul and to her body, I quote the following sworn testi-
monies, not only as to her innocence, but also as to the happy
passage of her pure soul to heaven.

TESTIMONIES AS TO THE AFORESAID STATEMENT.

I, the undersigned Barefoot Augustinian, solemnly testify
that, having ministered to Signora Pompilia from the first
moment of the woful case until the last minute of her life, I
state and swear, as I am a priest in the presence of that God
who shall be my Judge, that I have remarked and have been
amazed at the innocent and pure conscience of this ever-blessed
girl ; and in the four days [Jan. 2-6] which she survived, she,
having been exhorted by me to pardon [her husband], replied
with tears in her eyes, and with calm and compassionate voice,
" May Jesus pardon him as I have already done with all my
heart." But what was most wonderful was that, although she
suffered great pain from her injuries, I never heard her utter an
offensive or an impatient word, or even give any sign of such,
either against God or her fellow-beings ; but with uniform sub-
mission to the Divine will she would say, " The Lord have
mercy on me " ; a fact, in truth, which is incompatible with a
spirit not closely united to God ; and such union does not take
place in a single moment, but truly is due to long-continued
habit. Moreover, I declare that I have uniformly noticed her
to be most modest ; and in particular on those occasions in
which the doctors attended to her, so that, if she had not been
of good habits, on such occasions she would not have given
evidence of modesty in regard to certain little details carefully
noticed by me, and much wondered at, that a young girl should

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 129

be able to bear herself in the presence of so many men with
such modesty and composure as did this saintly girl, even though
half dead. And if we are to believe what the Holy Spirit,
speaking by the mouth of the Evangelist, says, in the 7th
chapter of St. Matthew, arbor mala non potest bonos Jructus
facere, noticing that he says, " non potest [i.e. can not], and not
" non facit," [i.e. does not]: — that is, he pronounces it impossible
to translate our powers into acts of perfection when these forces
are themselves imperfect and tainted with evil — we must per-
force say that this girl was full of goodness and modesty, since
with all ease and perfection she behaved virtuously and modestly
during the close of her life. Moreover, she died full of faith in
God, her heart filled with Divine grace, and with all the sacra-
ments of the Church, so that all who were in her presence were
filled with wonder and pronounced her a saint. I say no more
for fear that I may be taxed with being partial. I know full well
that Solus Deus est scrutator cordium : but I know also that
ex abundantia cordis os loquitur, and that my own Augustine
declares, Talis vita, finis ita : wherefore, having remarked in
this ever-blessed girl devout words, virtuous deeds and most
modest acts, and a death in the fear of God, for the satisfaction
of my own conscience I am obliged, and can do no other than
declare that it must needs be that she has ever been a young
girl good, modest, and honourable.

The above is my testimony, whereof in my own hand-
writing, this 10th day of January .

[Signed] FRA CELESTINE DI S. ANNA,1

Barefoot Augustinian.

1 From this name Browning has constructed a wholly imaginary " Hospital
of St. Anna/' in which Pompilia is supposed to die after Fra Celestine — who is
often mentioned in the poem — has confessed her. These depositions supplied
the poet with the suggestion for his conception of an idealised Pompilia, and it
was mainly in allusion to them that he is reported to have said, " I assure you
that I found her, just as she speaks and acts in my poem, in that old book."

ISO

THE MONTHLY REVIEW

AFFIDAVIT SIGNED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES.

We, the undersigned, having been asked to state the truth,
gire full and incontrovertible testimony under oath, that on the
occasions on which we were present and rendered assistance in
the last illness from which Francesca Pompilia died, she having
been several times questioned by priests and others as to
whether she had committed any offence against Guido her
husband, which would have afforded him reason to ill-treat her
in the manner we saw, and cause her to be done to death ; she
uniformly replied that she had not at any time committed any
such fault whatever, and had always lived in all chastity and
purity. And this we know through having been present during
her sufferings ; and from having heard all the said questions and
answers ; and also from having treated her medically and aided
her ; and from having heard her replies to the aforesaid ques-
tions during the four days that she survived while suffering from
her wounds, and from having seen her, and heard her, and
witnessed her die like a saint.

In evidence whereof, &c.

This 10th day of January

I, NICOLO CONSTANTIO, who took part in the medical

treatment.
I, PLACIDO SAUDI, priest, with my own hand confirm

what Fra Celestine has said above, having been

present as above.

I, MICHELE NICOLO GREGORIO, confirm the above.
I, GIUSEPPE D'ANDILLI, with my own hand, &c.

I, DOMENICO GODYN, &C.

I, LUCA CORSI, &c.

I, Gio. BATTISTA GuiTEUs.1

I, Gio. BATTISTA MUCHA.

1 Guiteus was an apothecary who administered medicine and helped in
the medical treatment. Mucha was his assistant.

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 131

I, Abate Liberate Barberito, Doctor of Theology, hereby
give full and indubitable evidence that, having been summoned
to attend the death-bed of the late Signora Francesca Pompilia
Comparini, I repeatedly noticed, and in particular during one
entire night, how she bore with Christian resignation the pains
of her wounds, and with more than human generosity pardoned
the wrongs done her by him who had so cruelly caused her
death. Thus, during the whole of the aforesaid night I
observed the tenderness of her conscience, the time having
passed in affording me evidence that her everyday life had been
full of heroic Christian perfection. And I can testify from the
experience which I have had, during the four years in which I
was Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court of the late Archbishop of
Monopoli, that I have never seen any one meet death in such a
state of mind, especially when this had been due to violence.

Wherefore, in evidence, &c.,

This 10th day of January 1698,

I, ABATE LIBERATO BARBERITO.

All these sworn testimonies form part of the evidence in the
suit against Guido,1 and are signed and confirmed by the aboYC-
mentioned witnesses who took part in ministering to the bodily
and spiritual needs of Pompilia until her death.

Divine justice, which will not suffer so atrocious a crime to
pass unpunished, brought it about that the evil-doers were
overtaken at dawn by the police at the New [Merluzza]2 Inn
[at Baccano], some few miles from Rome ; where, after a
scanty meal, overcome with the fatigue of their journey and
with sleep, they had lain down to rest by the fire. The police
suddenly rushed in, and pointing their carbines at the heads of
the offenders, they were seized and bound.

They were removed at once to the New Prisons [in the Via

1 All three, together with some additional matter, are printed in the
" book " which the poet bought.

2 The name is omitted in the Roman MS. I supply it from another source.

132

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Giulia, Rome], and the Governor of Rome informed the Pope
of the barbarous murder and of the arrest of the guilty ; he
issued orders that there should be no delay in proceeding against
them with all the rigour of the law, this being a case which,
by reason of the consequences that might ensue, the Court
was bound to examine with the most scrupulous attention.

Far less than had been imagined, however, was it found
needful to apply torture to ensure the confession of the
assassins and of Guido, who more emphatically than the
others persisted in denying his guilt. Notwithstanding this,
simply at the sight of the torture his heart failed him and he
made a full confession, although he declared that he had been
actuated in his crime by no other motive than the desire to
make reparation for his honour, which had been so publicly
injured — a thing which any man, even if of ignoble birth, would
undertake, much more one like himself, who was of good
family ; and that, if in his first examination he had denied the
truth of this, he had done it solely so as not to prejudice his
companions who had helped him in a deed worthy of all
indulgence, because their only motive had been honour.

With the confession of Guido and its ratification by the
others the trial was at an end, and sentence was given, l the
assassins being condemned to the gallows and Guido to the
mannaia [a kind of guillotine], an instrument of death conceded
to him rather out of respect to his having taken minor religious
orders than for other reasons.

The written arguments of [Desiderius Spreti] the Advocate,
and [Hyacinthus de Arcangelis] the Procurator of the Poor, in
their defence on the plea of honour were so able that there is no
mention of more learned pleadings ; 2 but the charges against

1 The Court gave sentence on Tuesday, February 1 8. The lawyers for the
defence, however, appealed to the Pope, who signed the death-warrant on
Friday, February 21 — the day on which Innocent XII. is supposed, in the
poem, to utter his noble monologue.

2 The pleadings here alluded to are those contained in the poet's " square
old yellow book." The two pleas by Spreti were especially commended for
their learning. As Advocate of the Poor he was the leading lawyer for the

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 138

the accused were so numerous, and each of them punishable by
death, that they were overpowered no less by the character than
by the number of these. The bearing of deadly arms of
prohibited shape ; the kiUing of Pietro and Violante, who had
not been accomplices in the flight of Pompilia ; the fact of the
murders having taken place in lite pendente, in the home of the
Comparini, which, with the consent of Guido, the Court had
assigned to Pompilia as a secure place of confinement ; and
many other accusations of weight, brought into prominence
the profound learning of the counsel for the defence and the
justice of the condemnation of the guilty.

Although, with the usual hope of all who know themselves
guilty of a crime punishable with death, Guido had flattered
himself that he should be able to save his life on the plea of
honour; yet, when the unexpected condemnation was pro-
nounced, he did not yield himself up to such ill-regulated
manifestations as for the most part occur among those who
pass through so terrible an experience. He remained like one
dazed ; then, after some moments, he heaved a deep sigh,
accompanied by a few tears, which by their extraordinary size
indicated mortal symptoms, and exclaimed : " Verily I feared
a heavy sentence, but not that of death. My offence is great,
but my love of honour has never allowed me to see it in its
true light until now, when it has been adjudged by justice, for
which I have so profound a veneration that I do not wish to
appeal even to God, to whom alone I turn as the sole source of
mercy. Except by the will of God, I should never have come
to this awful pass, and this I desire should be a source of
comfort to me, and not of pain, so that, by my utter resignation
to His will, I may acquire some claim to Divine pardon." And
hereupon he cast himself into the arms of the Frati and
showed such signs of lively contrition that his prayers were
accompanied by their tears rather than by their exhortations.

defence ; Arcangeli, who wrote three pleas, being one of his Procurators. The
poet, for reasons of his own, has chosen to make Spreti the "junior" of
Arcangeli. The eleven pleas in the trial are all in Latin.

134 THE MONTHLY REVIEW

The four accomplices did not by any means dispose them-
selves for death with the same resignation ; for, as their mental
capacity was in keeping with their viler nature, they could not
be persuaded of the justice of their condemnation. The oldest
and the youngest 1 were the most firm in their obstinacy ; the
former because his heart had been hardened by so many years
of evil life, the latter because he felt so bitterly the dreadful
punishment for this his first crime, committed in the flower of
his youth, he having also shed not a drop of blood, his only
offence being that he had been induced to keep guard at a door
by which Guido had to pass that he might wipe away with the
blood of his enemies the stains upon his honour.

The nearer the hour of execution approached, the more the
obstinacy of these two unfortunate men increased, so that the
Frati were, so to say, in despair about their repentance ; when
Divine mercy, which accomplishes wonders even when they are
least expected, penetrated their hearts, and thus gave glorious
evidence of its omnipotence. Finally, they yielded to God, and
the memory of their offences which had hitherto rendered them
obstinate became, under the illumination of Divine grace, the
means of disposing them to repentance and of fitting them for
absolution.

These souls being secured to God after so prolonged a
struggle, the procession started from the New Prisons of Tor di
Nonna to the scaffold, which was set up in the Piazza del Popolo
in view of the city gate and the Corso. In the middle was the
block on a high platform, made much broader than usual,
and having carefully arranged steps leading up to it ; the gallows
being placed, one on each side, at equal distances. Vast as is
the area of the Piazza, there was not a single foot which was
not occupied with raised stands, and these, being draped with
tapestry and other decorations, formed a theatre suited rather
for festive games than for a solemn tragedy.

His four companions preceded Guido, each in a separate
cart, attended, as usual, by the pious Frati, and followed by a

1 This, as far as I can discover, was Biaggio Gambassini.

- ...

THE MURDER OF POMPILIA 135

huge crowd of people, who prayed that they might have a blessed
end, of which, to judge by their contrite resignation, there
seemed a sure and certain hope.

Guido Franceschini hardly ever took his eyes from the
crucifix, except when nature became faint from his continued
gaze, and then he turned away his head, but not his heart,
which being wholly given to his Creator, there remained no
portion for himself. Arriving at the Piazza, di Pasquino, the
tumbrils halted before the church of the Agonizzanti, where
it is customary to expose the Host and to bestow the Benediction
upon condemned criminals on the day of their execution.
Guido here fell upon his knees and recited, in a voice clearly
audible to the bystanders, several verses of the Miserere,
among them this : " Hide thy face from my sins and blot out
all my iniquities " [Psalm li. 9], accompanying his words with
such demonstrations of sorrow and repentance that the people,
in tears, manifested as much grief as the condemned man.
Guide's companions received the Benediction with similar
devotion ; but the behaviour of the youngest was unpre-
cedented: beside himself with love to God, his words were
like those of one inspired, so that the priests, with all their
learning, were filled with humility.

Thence, through the most inhabited streets, they continued
their way to the Piazza del Popolo, where all suffered death,
Guido being the last.1 They exhibited the same signs of

1 This was on Saturday, February 22, 1698. The Guido of the poem was
then aged fifty ; the Guido of history was a man of forty, who had married at
thirty-five. Abate Paolo, the " second son " of the poem, was really the eldest
son and Guide's senior by some eight years ; while

" The boy of the brood, the young Girolamo,

Priest, Canon,"

was born four years after Paolo. The dates in the baptismal register of the
Pieve church are : October 28, 1650, Paolo ; January 2, 1653, Porzia ; August 5,
1654, Girolamo; and on January 14, 1657 [1658 N.S.], Guido di Tommaso di
Girolamo Franceschini e di Beatrice di Guido Romani sua consorte. The Guido
of history was therefore not the « Head of the House," nor was he a Count. The
family seems at that date to have belonged to the fourth of the eight "degrees
of nobility " distinguished in Arezzo. A certain Count Giacomo— Jacobus Comes

136

THE MONTHLY REVIEW

contrition as they had shown while being prepared for death ;
and just as the youngest had given special tokens during life,
so it pleased God that these should again appear at his death ;
for as the hangman was casting him off, he clasped to his bosom
the crucifix — that emblem of mercy by which they had just
been assured of Divine pardon. This made the populace all
the more certain of his salvation, just as it filled them with
compassion for his untimely death.

Never was there a greater concourse of people at an
execution in Rome, nor is there recollection of a case which
formed so universal a subject of conversation. Some defended
the Comparini, on the ground that they had received ill-usage ;
others, the Franceschini, on the point of honour; but, upon
calm reflection, both were adjudged equally guilty1 — except
Pompilia, who, being totally ignorant of the truth, had com-
mitted no other fault than that of having consented to a
marriage at the command of her mother without the knowledge
of her father ; and who had fled from her husband's home,
under fear of death, with which she had been repeatedly and
unjustly threatened.

The union of these two families had its origin in deception :
on the part of the Franceschini, in the fraud as to the property
which they did not possess ; and on the part of the Comparini
as to the birth of Pompilia, who either was not their child, or
had been said not to be when she really was. The deceit of
the Franceschini sprang from their greed to secure the trust-
money ; that of the Comparini from a desire to add to their
comforts ; so that everything was done contrary to what is
right by both human laws and divine. Wherefore there
justly followed from a bad beginning a worse end, as has
been described above.

Franceschini — died there on January 26, 1399, and is the first of the name men-
tioned. The title, it would appear, had gone to another branch of the family. [
1 An interesting anticipation of the three points of view adopted by the
poet in " Half Rome/' " The Other Half Rome/' and " Tertium Quid."

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